HERBAL SAFETY INFORMATION

For further information on using herbs safely, we recommend the following books:

Mcguffin, Michael, et al., Botanical Safety Handbook, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1997

Blumenthal, Mark, et al., The Complete German Commission E Monographs, The American Botanical Council, Austin, TX, 1998.

No safety information available

Acacia spp.

No safety information available

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid during pregnancy. Some allergic reactions of skin, respiratory, gastrointestinal tract have been documented.

External use only but not on open wounds or broken skin. Can cause allergic dermatitis in sensitive persons or with prolonged use.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid during pregnancy.

Avoid when pregnant or nursing, not recommended for infants, toddlers or for extended periods of time.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid when pregnant or nursing, limit use to 6 months.

Individuals with a history of kidney stones should use this herb cautiously.

Prolonged use is not advised due to the presence of significant quantities of juglone. May reduce absorption of most drugs.

Prolonged use is not advised due to the presence of significant quantities of juglone. May reduce absorption of most drugs.

Avoid during pregnancy. High doses (more than 5.0 grams per cup of tea) may irritate the stomach and cause vomiting. Allergic reactions to this and other composites are possible.

Avoid during pregnancy. As little as one gram may cause nausea and vomiting. Sparing use is recommended for individuals with history of digestive system sensitivity. Prolonged use is not advised.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

BLUEBERRY LEAF see: BILBERRY LEAF

Avoid during pregnancy

For external use only, avoid on broken skin, during pregnancy, while nursing and with history of liver disease.

For external use only, avoid on broken skin, during pregnancy, while nursing and with history of liver disease. Long term use is not recommended.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid during pregnancy.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

In case of gallstones, use only after consultation with a physician.

Avoid when pregnant or nursing, with intestinal obstruction, abdominal pain of unknown origin, or any inflammatory intestinal condition (appendicitis, colitis, Crohn’s disease irritable bowel) and in children under 12 years of age. Not for long-term use of more than 8-10 days.

No safety information available but may be digestive irritant. One authority reports possible contraindications for pregnancy, patients undergoing skin grafts, organ transplants, hemophiliacs prescribed fresh blood plasma, simultaneous administration of certain vaccines, hormone therapies, thymus extracts, insulin, and children under three years of age.

Avoid during pregnancy.

No safety information available.

Excessive internal doses may cause GI irritation in sensitive individuals, externally contraindicated on injured skin or near eyes.

Egypt/Germany Safe to consume when used appropriately but minor side effects are recorded by several references. Highly concentrated hot tea is noted as emetic. One authority advises against daily use.

Seek advice from a health care practitioner before use if you have any history of liver disease. Discontinue use if nausea, fever, fatigue, or jaundice occur (e.g., dark urine or yellow discoloration of the eyes).

Avoid during pregnancy. May counteract effectiveness of birth control pills.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid during pregnancy. Not for long term use; do not exceed recommended dose. Standard Dose: 2.0 to 4.0 grams of bark daily, as tea.

CLAY (GREEN ) Illite, Superfine

No safety information available.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid on broken skin, during pregnancy, while nursing and with history of liver disease. Limit use to 4-6 weeks. Do not exceed recommended dose of 1.5 to 6 grams of the fresh or dried leaf or its equivalent in finished preparations. Leaf is allowed for internal consumption by the German Commission E.

External use only, avoid on broken skin, during pregnancy, while nursing and with history of liver disease. Limit use to 4-6 weeks per year.

External use only, avoid on broken skin, during pregnancy, while nursing and with history of liver disease. Limit use to 4-6 weeks per year.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid during blockage of the bile ducts, acute gallbladder inflammation, and intestinal blockage. In case of gallstones, consult physician before use.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid during pregnancy.

Some authorities suggest it should not be used in autoimmune diseases.

Some authorities suggest it should not be used in autoimmune diseases.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately. Avoid during hypertension but some authorities disagree with this caution.

Avoid during inflammatory diseases of the bile ducts and gastrointestinal tract and in severe liver diseases. Can be a digestive irritant. Do not use eucalyptus preparations on areas of the face and especially the nose in infants and young children.

Europe/Bulgaria Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid during pregnancy. Sparing use is recommended for individuals with history of digestive system sensitivity.

Safe to consume when used appropriately. In individual cases allergic reactions of skin and respiratory tract. Commission E categorizes F. vulgare as not for prolonged use without a physician’s consultation. Presumably this caution is in reference to therapeutic quantities given as 5.0-7.0 grams of seeds daily.

Trigonella foenum-graecum

Avoid during pregnancy. Repeated external applications can result in undesirable skin reactions.

Avoid during pregnancy.

Avoid during bowel obstruction. May reduce absorption of other drugs. The seeds should be preswollen with fluids prior to consumption in cases of bowel inflammation. Only the whole seed should be used by overweight people to avoid caloric absorption. Warning: Taking this product without adequate fluid may cause it to swell and block your throat or esoghagus and may cause choking. Do not take this product if you have difficulty in swallowing. If you experience chest pain, vomiting, or difficulty in swallowing or breathing after taking this product seek immediate medical attention. Directions: Take (or mix) this product (child or adult dose) with at least 8 OZ (a full glass) of water or other fluid. Taking this product without enough liquid may cause choking, see warning.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Occasional gastrointestinal disturbance in sensitive individuals. Some authorities feel that consumption of fresh garlic in children might be dangerous and possibly contraindicated in pregnancy. The long history of garlic as a food has established it to be safe in reasonable quantities. These warnings may not apply to processed garlic products.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately, possible concern with ingestion of blood thinning medications but inconclusive.

Safe to consume when used appropriately. Red Ginseng is processed by steaming and may potentiate the effects of caffeine and other stimulants. Unprocessed Ginseng is not considered as stimulating.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid during hypertension but some authorities disagree with this caution.

Avoid during hypertension but some authorities disagree with this caution.

GINSENG ROOT (SIBERIAN) see: ELEUTHERO ROOT

Hydrastis canadensis

Avoid during pregnancy. Standard Dose: Unless otherwise prescribed, three times daily: 500-1000 mg dried rhizome and root; 2.0-4.0 ml tincture (1:10, 60% ethanol); 0.3-1.0 ml liquid extract (1:1, 60% ethanol). Fresh plant may cause irritation to the mucosa.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

For external use only, avoid on broken skin, during pregnancy, while nursing and with history of liver disease. Long term use is not recommended.

Not recommended for excessive or long-term use.

Crataegus laevigata / spp.

Safe to consume when used appropriately. May have a potentiating effect with digitalis which may necessitate a smaller dosage of digitalis. Consult a physician when symptoms continue unchanged for longer than 6 weeks or in cases of swelling of the legs. Medical diagnosis is absolutely necessary when pains occur in the region of the heart, spreading out to the arms, upper abdomen or the area around the neck, or in cases of respiratory distress (dyspnea).

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately but some authorities say avoid with depression.

Avoid during pregnancy.

Avoid during cardiac or renal dysfunction. Has potential to lead to thiamine deficiency. Powdered form not recommended for children or for prolonged use due to the inorganic silica content, though teas & extracts contain mainly organic silica in colloidal form so are not problematic in this regard.

Avoid long term use

Avoid during pregnancy.

No safety information available.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid during pregnancy and inflammatory kidney disease. Limit use to 4-6 weeks in succession.

Avoid during pregnancy, nursing and some kinds of depression. Not recommended for more than 3 months without medical advice. It could increase the effect of alcohol, barbiturates and some drugs used for psychological treatment and has the potential to affect motor reflexes and judgment when driving or operating heavy machinery.

Avoid during hyperthyroidism. Not recommended for long term use. When taken alone, it should be accompanied with adequate liquid.

Avoid during pregnancy, hypertension, gastric and duodenal

ulcers. Not recommended for excessive or long-term use.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid during pregnancy. Allergic reactions are rare, if preparations of the herb are topically applied to the skin.

Avoid during pregnancy, nursing, diabetes, hypertension, liver disorders, severe kidney insufficiency, and hypokalemia. Not for prolonged use (over 4 - 6 weeks) or in high doses except under supervision of a qualified health practitioner. May potentiate potassium depletion of thiazide diuretics and stimulant laxatives, as well as the action of cardiac glycosides and cortisol. May cause reversible potassium depletion and sodium retention, resulting in such symptoms as hypertension, edema, headache, and vertigo when consumed in therapeutic dosages over a prolonged period.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid during pregnancy. Avoid large doses. May cause nausea and vomiting.

Avoid during pregnancy, nursing, anorexia, bulimia, glaucoma, anxiety, impaired circulation of the cerebrum, adenoma of prostate with residual urine accumulation, pheochromocytoma and thyrotoxicosis. Not recommended for excessive or long-term use. In higher dosage side effects can be drastic increase in blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, development of dependency. Warning: Seek advice from a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you have high blood pressure, heart or thyroid disease, diabetes, difficulty in urination due to prostate enlargement, or if taking a MAO inhibitor or any other prescription drug. Reduce or discontinue use if nervousness, tremor, irritability, headaches, sleeplessness, disturbances of urination, excessive rapid heart rate, loss of appetite or nausea occur. Not intended for use by persons under 18 years of age. Keep out of the reach of children.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately but absorption of other drugs taken simultaneously may be delayed.

Safe to consume when used appropriately but absorption of other drugs taken simultaneously may be delayed.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid during pregnancy.

Avoid during pregnancy.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid during pregnancy & excessive uterine bleeding. Doses over 2.0-4.0 grams may cause irritation of the kidneys and diarrhea.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid during pregnancy.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Not for long term use. There is concern over the Cyanogenic Glycoside Amygdalin content of ca. 1.0% in the leaf. The seed can contain as much as 8.0% amygdalin which is enough to prove fatal following even moderate consumption. Although the content in the leaf and bark is significantly less than in the seed, caution must still be observed, especially with children. Warning: To be used only under the supervision of an expert qualified in the appropriate use of this substance.

Avoid during pregnancy. The leaf contains 1.0-2.0% essential oil consisting of 80.0-94.0% pulegone, a severe liver toxin when administered to rats in high dose. The notoriety of pennyroyal is due to the misuse of the essential oil. Death has been reported after consumption of as little as 15.0 ml (1/2 oz) of the oil, and in one instance, following consumption of an alcohol extract of pennyroyal herb over a two week period. The last case involved a woman who was determined postmortem to have had an ectopic pregnancy, and toxic pulegone metabolites were reported to be present in the liver.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid during pregnancy, may cause nausea and vomiting.

Avoid during pregnancy.

External use only. No safety information available.

Rubus idaeus O USA/Bulgaria

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid during pregnancy.

Avoid during pregnancy, nursing, intestinal obstruction, abdominal pain of unknown origin, or any inflammatory condition of the intestines (appendicitis, colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel, etc.) Not for children less than 12 years of age and not for long-term use in excess of 8-10 days. Individuals with a history of kidney stones should use this herb cautiously. Standard Dose: 1.0-5.0 grams daily, directly consumed or decocted as a tea, or up to 12.0 grams daily according to traditional Chinese authors. Warning for use of herb alone or in sufficient quantity in product: Do not use this product if you have abdominal pain or diarrhea. Consult a health care provider prior to use if you are pregnant or nursing. Discontinue use in the event of diarrhea or watery stools. Do not exceed recommended dose. Not for long-term use.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid during pregnancy.

Avoid during pregnancy, hemorrhagic diseases or peptic ulcers. May prolong blood coagulation time.

Avoid during pregnancy. Not for long term use, do not exceed recommended dose.

Standard Dose: 4.0-6.0 grams daily.

No safety information available.

Safe to consume when used appropriately. Some authorities warn it leads to gastric irritation and temp-orary kidney impairment and advise of potential drug interactions with hypnotics, digitalis glycosides, and bismuth.

Not for long term use; do not exceed recommended dose. Standard Dose: 10.0 grams of the root bark; 2.0-4.0 ml of an liquid extract of root bark.

Safe to consume when used appropriately. Regular consultation with a physician is advised when using this herb for treatment of enlarged prostate.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Senna spp.

Avoid during pregnancy, nursing, intestinal obstruction, abdominal pain of unknown origin, hemorrhoids or any inflammatory condition of the intestines (appendicitis, colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel, etc.) Not for children less than 12 years of age and not for long-term use in excess of 8-10 days. Standard Dose: Dried leaf: 0.5-3.0 grams infused in hot (not boiling) water for 10-15 minutes or in cold water for 10-12 hours. Warning for use of herb alone or in sufficient quantity in product: Do not use this product if you have abdominal pain or diarrhea. Consult a health care provider prior to use if you are pregnant or nursing. Discontinue use in the event of diarrhea or watery stools. Do not exceed recommended dose. Not for long-term use.

Individuals with a history of kidney stones should use this herb cautiously.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

May potentiate pharmaceutical MAO-inhibitors, fair-skinned people should avoid excessive sunlight and tanning while using.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately but use is reported to sometimes result in headaches.

To be used only under the supervision of an expert qualified in the appropriate use of this substance. Avoid during pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease and excessive menstrual bleeding. Because of the variable thujone content, uncontrolled usage of tansy, depending on the qualilty of the herb, can result in absorption of thujone in toxic amounts, even at normal dosages.

Green, unfermented tea is the world’s second most popular beverage, after water! Contains 0.9-5.0% caffeine, not recommended for excessive use. May be irritating to the digestive system.

Avoid during pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease and excessive menstrual bleeding. Because of the thujone content, avoid long-term use, do not exceed recommended dose of 2.0-4.0 ml liquid extract, which should be taken internally only occasionally. Aqueous forms such as tea are low in thujone.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid during pregnancy, bile duct obstruction, gall stones, stomach ulcers, hyperacidity.

Avoid during pregnancy, nursing, kidney disorders, irritated digestive conditions and with acidic urine or in conjunction with drugs which produce acidic urine because it reduces antibacterial effect. Not for prolonged use without consulting a practitioner.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid external use with extensive skin surface damage. Full baths with a significant amount of the tea are contraindicated in the following conditions: weeping eczema and skin damage over a large area; febrile and infectious disorders; cardiac insufficiency stages III and IV; hypertonia stage IV.

May be irritating to the digestive system. Persons with known sensitivity to aspirin may wish to exercise caution although there is no evidence these type reactions have ever occurred with the natural preparations from Salix spp. There is some assurance aspirin’s tendency to potentiate blood thinning drugs is not mimicked Salix spp.

Not for long-term use; do not exceed recommended dose of 2.0-4.0 grams

Lactuca spp.

Safe to consume when used appropriately. Large doses of the tincture can produce vomiting.

Safe to consume when used appropriately. Large doses of the tincture can produce vomiting.

Persons with known sensitivity to aspirin may wish to exercise caution although there is no evidence these type reactions have ever occurred with the natural preparations from Gaultheria. There is some assurance aspirin’s tendency to potentiate blood thinning drugs is not mimicked Gaultheria.

Safe to consume when used appropriately. In susceptible patients, irritation of the stomach may occur occasionally. In rare cases, witch-hazel tannins may cause liver damage.

Safe to consume when used appropriately. In susceptible patients, irritation of the stomach may occur occasionally. In rare cases, witch-hazel tannins may cause liver damage.

Avoid during pregnancy, nursing, pelvic inflammatory disease and excessive menstrual bleeding. Not for long term use; do not exceed recommended dose of 1.5 grams of dried herb in tea, 2 to 3 times daily. Thujone, a constituent of Wormwood, is neurotoxic but the primary references do not substantiate toxicological concern, except with long-term use, excessive dose (which is more likely with an extract), or use of the essential oil.

Avoid during pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease and excessive menstrual bleeding. Should not be used by persons prone to allergies to Asteraceae. With external use, immediate cessation of treatment is advised in the event of itching and inflammatory changes in the skin.

Caution is advised for individuals with a history of kidney stones.

Not recommended for excessive or long-term use. May be irritating to the digestive system.

Safe to consume when used appropriately.

Avoid during existing liver and kidney diseases and in chronic inflammation of the sexual organs or prostate gland. Not recommended for excessive or long-term use. May potentiate pharmaceutical MAO-inhibitors and hypotensive drugs. Yohimbe is a nervous system stimulant that can produce unpleasant digestive and nervous system symptoms including nervousness, heart irregularities, headaches, tremors and insomnia.

Safe to consume when used appropriately

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